Majestic arrival of president, first lady

Saturday

Sep 8, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By MICHELLE KINGSTONmkingston@fosters.com

NEWINGTON — Air Force One touched down at Pease Air Force Base at 11:51 a.m. on Friday.

Media crews arrived more than an hour before to prepare for the touch down. Secret Service crews were already in place, surrounding the property and preparing the vehicles used in the motorcade. Pease Fire Department was also present.

A select group of approximately 25 people were invited on to the base to watch the arrival. The audience was first greeted by Gov. John Lynch and his wife, Susan.

The plane descended into Portsmouth smoothly just six minutes past the scheduled arrival.

The past few days may have felt like fall was around the corner, but Friday reminded the Seacoast that it is still summer. With temperatures as high as 84 degrees Friday and not a cloud in the sky, Air Force One landed with ease.

Once the plane was parked, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, were seen stepping out of a vehicle to stand outside Air Force One to greet President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. The vice president and his wife had landed earlier in Air Force Two.

The plane's door opened, the crowd cheered and saluted and the Obamas appeared. The scene was majestic as the couple, matching in navy blue, walked down the staircase with smiles and grace toward the welcoming crowd.

The Bidens, Obamas and the Lynchs spent a few minutes greeting one another with hugs, conversing just outside the plane. The president and vice president removed their coats and continued to walk toward the group of people waiting to shake their hands. The first lady and the second lady were just steps behind them.

At approximately 12:15 p.m., they waved goodbye to the crowd, to the media and to security and stepped inside their vehicle to head to Strawbery Banke Museum.

This visit is Obama's first campaign event following the Democratic National Convention Thursday night where he officially accepted his party's nomination.

Air Force One was scheduled to depart at 2:30 p.m. but was behind schedule. At approximately 2:38 p.m., the motorcade paraded toward the tarmac. More than 20 vehicles drove around Air Force One before making their way to the front of the plane and stopping to let the president and first lady board the plane first. Within seconds, the Obamas were inside and the front doors closed. White House staff boarded through the back of the plane. The vice president and second lady boarded Air Force Two approximately a quarter mile away.

Shortly after 2:50 p.m., Air Force One began to make the trek toward the runway, blowing hot air and debris toward the media crew podium. The plane took off first, with Air Force Two following shortly after.

President Obama is next heading for a two-day bus tour through Florida while the vice president will campaign in Ohio over the weekend.